Police: Hit-run leads to man's 7th DUI charge in Folcroft

FOLCROFT -- A borough man with six drunken driving convictions and a suspended license was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he allegedly struck a parked car and fled -- while driving drunk in a vehicle he did not have permission to operate, according to police and court documents.

William Murphy, 45, of the 800 block of Delview Drive, was combative with police and tried to flee apprehension, according to the probable-cause affidavit, written by Folcroft Patrolman Thomas Kesser.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, Kesser responded to a report of a hit-and-run in the rear of the 800 block of Delview Drive.

On arrival, a neighborhood resident said she saw a burgundy Saturn strike a fence and then a parked car. She described the driver as a white male whom she could positively identify if apprehended, and provided possible registration for the vehicle.

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At about 2:20 p.m., the neighborhood woman and her husband embarked on a search of their own and located the striking vehicle at the intersection of Hook and Calcon Hook roads, in the front lot of Fleet Grease, in Darby Township. The couple proceeded to the Darby Township Police Department and provided Officer Patrick Hennessy with updated information, including that the person operating the vehicle was the same man she had seen earlier.

Hennessy then responded to Fleet Grease and while approaching the vehicle he saw a driver exit and "stumble toward the rear of the vehicle," the affidavit states. The driver, who was identified as Murphy, smelled of alcohol, had blood shot eyes and slurred speed, the affidavit states. When Hennessy ordered Murphy to place his hands on the trunk of the vehicle, he refused and then ran.

Hennessy was able to grab hold of Murphy's shirt, which caused them both to fall to the ground. Murphy ignored repeated orders to stop resisting, but continued to punch and kick Hennessy until he was in custody, the affidavit states.

According to the affidavit, Murphy refused to submit to blood testing.

The owner of the Saturn later told authorities Murphy did not have permission to use her vehicle.

According to authorities, Tuesday marked Murphy's 11th arrest for DUI, dating back to May 1987, and he is currently on state parole for a receiving stolen property conviction.